Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 468: Expand Commercial Routes_1

Chapter 468: Expand Commercial Routes_1

Golden Crow Grassland, Golden Crow City.

In a secluded manor, Wu Xiao sat within a blue stone pavilion, while Bi Xin was reporting to him.

"All the clan members we sent out have perished, which isn’t normal. It seems like the Human Clan is deliberately targeting us,"

Bi Xin said.

In recent years, the Barbarian Tribe had dispatched numerous Nascent Soul Cultivators in search of Sky-Reaching Spiritual Treasures, suffering the loss of many Nascent Soul Cultivators. That was normal. However, in recent years, every Nascent Soul Cultivator the Barbarian Tribedispatched had died without a trace, which was abnormal.

"Do you know the reason? Why are they suddenly targeting us?"

Wu Xiao asked, puzzled.

"It is said that a large number of Ghost Creatures burst out of the Myriad Ghost Tomb in the Western Desert Cultivation Realm, causing harm to the innocent and resulting in many cultivators’ deaths. The Qiantu Ruler originated from the Myriad Ghost Tomb in the Western Desert, so this is probably why the Human Clan has started targeting us. After the war ended, we’ve lost thirty Nascent Soul Cultivators,"

Bi Xin said with a frown.

After the war ended, the Barbarian Tribe had been recuperating and the number of Nascent Soul Cultivators they had gained wasn’t even thirty.

"For now, let’s not send our people to search for the Sky-Reaching Spiritual Treasures. Let’s take a break! Strengthen the guard; they might target us again."

Wu Xiao instructed.

"Yes, Great Elder,"

Bi Xin complied.

······

Qian Country, Wanjian Marketplace.

As the Myriad Sword Conference drew near, a large number of high-level cultivators arrived at Wanjian Marketplace, contributing to its prosperity.

A white spiritual light appeared in the distant sky, and after a flash, it stopped, revealing a white flying boat over ten zhang long, with Shen Long, Ice Silkworm True Person, and Xuanyang True Monarch standing atop it.

Xuanyang True Monarch had not received an invitation but still wished to attend the Myriad Sword Conference, so he took the initiative to invite Shen Long and Ice Silkworm True Person to join him.

"We’re finally at Wanjian Marketplace,"

Xuanyang True Monarch said with a smile.

"Someone is coming,"

Shen Long turned his head and looked into the distance.

Ice Silkworm True Person and Xuanyang True Monarch both looked towards the northwest but didn’t see any other cultivators.

"Taoist Friend Shen, could you have sensed it wrong?"

Xuanyang True Monarch questioned with uncertainty.

"There’s no mistake; it’s someone I know,"

Shen Long stated.

After a while, a yellow escape light appeared in the distant sky, and with a flash, it stopped, revealing a glowing yellow flying boat, with Zhou Hualei and five other Nascent Soul Cultivators standing on it.

"Taoist Friend Zhou, Taoist Friend Ye, what a coincidence!"

Shen Long called out in greeting.

A look of surprise flashed across Xuanyang True Monarch’s eyes, evidence that Shen Long’s divine sense was extremely powerful, far surpassing that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.

"What a coincidence! Taoist Friend Shen, who are these two friends?"

The gaze of Zhou Hualei fell on Ice Silkworm True Person and Xuanyang True Monarch.

"This is my master, Ice Silkworm True Person, and this is Taoist Friend Han from the Xuanyang Sect,"

Shen Long introduced.

Ice Silkworm True Person and Xuanyang True Monarch promptly stated their names, and Zhou Hualei and his companions did the same, making everyone’s acquaintance.

As they just entered the marketplace, a tall and thin man dressed in a golden robe approached quickly. He bowed to Shen Long and Ice Silkworm True Person, saying, "Disciple Sun Hao pays respects to Uncle Shen, Master Uncle Lin. The residence has been prepared; please follow the disciple."

Spirt Control Sect was now robust and had set up several shops in Wanjian Marketplace, dedicating a manor for the rest of the Spirit Control Sect’s disciples.

"Lead the way,"

Shen Long instructed.

Sun Hao nodded and led the way while Zhou Hualei and the others parted ways to attend to their own matters.

Less than half a quarter of an hour later, Shen Long and the two others arrived at the entrance of a manor that spanned a vast area, with a signboard reading "Spirt Control Garden" in golden letters.

Qian Dafu came out quickly, bowing and saying, "Master Uncle Lin, Uncle Shen, I’m glad you have arrived. Master Uncle Han has also arrived."

He was in charge of managing the Spirit Control Sect’s shops at Wanjian Marketplace. His important role signified a high level of trust; Qian Dafu was now the deputy head of the trade hall. He was nominally a deputy, but his treatment was equivalent to that of a head, given that he was Shen Long’s man.

Shen Long and Ice Silkworm True Person followed Qian Dafu inside and after passing through three arched gates and courtyards, they met Red Flood Dragon True Person.

Red Flood Dragon True Person was sitting in a blue stone pavilion, preparing tea.

"Senior Brother Han, how have you returned from the Southern Border Cultivation World so soon?"

Shen Long asked with a smile.

"I just returned from the Southern Border Cultivation World. This is half a bottle of fourth-tier Flood Dragon Essence Blood I’ve obtained. Please, Junior Brother Shen, refine it into Blood Flood Dragon Pills. Here are also some Alchemy Materials I’ve collected, including two fourth-tier Pursuing Spirit Beast Demon Cores,"

Red Flood Dragon True Person took out a red Storage Bag and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long assured him he would do so and accepted the red Storage Bag.

They sat down and enjoyed a tea conversation with Red Flood Dragon True Person.

"Junior Brother Shen, your deeds have already spread to the Southern Border Cultivation World. You’re quite famous now,"

Red Flood Dragon True Person commented with a tone of admiration.

"It’s reached all the way to the Southern Border? What’s so special about that news?"

Shen Long wondered.

"A lot of cultivators in the Western Desert Cultivation Realm were killed by Ghost Creatures. You slaying the Profound Yin Ghost Mother couldn’t be hidden,"

Red Flood Dragon True Person said teasingly.

"Indeed! When I was in the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm, I also heard about it. Zhou Hualei and Shen Tianhong joined forces but couldn’t kill the Profound Yin Ghost Mother. I didn’t expect her to die at your hands."

Ice Silkworm True Person spoke with pride until the end.

The more promising the disciple, the happier the master.

"Many cultivators privately refer to our Spirit Control Sect as the sixth major power in the Donghua Cultivation Realm. Looking back to the days before our grandmaster ascended, our sect truly ranked among the foremost powers in the Donghua Cultivation Realm."

Red Flood Dragon True Person’s face revealed a look of longing.

The Spirit Control Sect had its days of glory, but now it had declined.

They saw the hope for the Spirit Control Sect’s rise in Shen Long.

"These words shouldn’t be taken seriously. How many great cultivators have appeared in the Donghua Cultivation Realm throughout history?"

Shen Long was unconvinced and, remembering something, he asked, "By the way, Senior Brother Han, you’ve spent some time in the marketplace, has the Nascent Soul Cultivator from Mysterious Spirit Sect arrived yet?"

"He arrived a few days ago. I met the sect leader of Mysterious Spirit Sect at a gathering, and he even mentioned you!"

Red Flood Dragon True Person said truthfully.

"Great, Senior Brother Han, please contact the sect leader of Mysterious Spirit Sect immediately. I want to negotiate some matters with him on behalf of the Spirit Control Sect," Shen Long said.

With Badao Villa and Zixiao Sect having merged into the Spirit Control Sect, their strength had significantly increased; naturally, they wanted to resolve the minor dispute between Mysterious Spirit Sect and the two factions.

"No problem, I’ll contact him right away."

Red Flood Dragon True Person promised, then took out a red messaging plate that shimmered with spiritual light, infused a spell into it, and manipulated it for a while.

"He said he would come over personally to talk with you, Master Nephew Qian, you wait outside, and when the time comes, bring Taoist Friend Wei in," said Red Flood Dragon True Person.

Qian Dafu replied with an acknowledgment and then left.

"By the way, Junior Brother Shen, why do you want to see Taoist Friend Wei?"

Red Flood Dragon True Person asked curiously.

Shen Long briefly recounted the events, prompting Red Flood Dragon True Person to nod in realization, "I see, that’s good. It strengthens our Spirit Control Sect’s power, but instilling a sense of belonging amongst the disciples of the two sects will take some time."

"What our Spirit Control Sect lacks the least right now is time; we can afford to wait," Ice Silkworm True Person said with a smile.

After chatting casually for a while, Qian Dafu brought in a rotund elder in green robes.

"I am Wei Liang, and I greet Taoist Friends Shen, Han, and Lin," said the green-robed elder, greeting them with a fist and palm salute, his voice gentle.

"You must be Taoist Friend Wei, I have long heard of your great reputation; please have a seat," said Shen Long warmly.

Ice Silkworm True Person picked up a teapot and poured a pot of steaming spiritual tea for Wei Liang, saying warmly, "Taoist Friend Wei, have a taste of this spiritual tea I brought back from the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm."

Wei Liang was completely baffled; it was his first time meeting Shen Long and Ice Silkworm True Person, and they were so enthusiastic.

"Taoist Friend Shen, I heard from Taoist Friend Han that you want to discuss some matters on behalf of the Spirit Control Sect, may I know what it is about?" Wei Liang asked, looking somewhat anxious.

Considering Shen Long’s current status and strength and the fact that he represented the Spirit Control Sect in discussions with Wei Liang, Wei’s first thought was that this matter must be of great significance.

"That’s right, there have been some misunderstandings between Badao Villa, Zixiao Sect, and your descendants’ cultivator partner," Shen Long briefly explained the situation.

"Taoist Friend Shen, you called me here just to talk about this?" Wei Liang said, hardly believing it; he had thought it was something more severe, but it turned out to be just a conflict between Core Formation cultivators.

"Yes! It’s better to resolve grievances than to create them. I wonder if Taoist Friend Wei would be willing to do me this favor," Shen Long said earnestly.

"This is the compensation from Badao Villa and Zixiao Sect, to purchase elixirs for healing Friend Lin’s injuries," Ice Silkworm True Person said, taking out a golden storage bag and handing it to Wei Liang.

No matter what, the Mysterious Spirit Sect’s young sect leader’s partner had been injured; offering some resources as compensation was giving enough face to Mysterious Spirit Sect.

"It’s a small matter; you are too polite, Taoist Friend Shen. I will order it to be taken care of as soon as I return. It’s normal for young people to have conflicts. Please, take these back!" Wei Liang said with a smile, refusing the compensation.

The Spirit Control Sect was willing to offer compensation, which showed great sincerity.

"Taoist Friend Wei, they were at fault in this matter, and compensation is due. Could it be that you find it insufficient?" Ice Silkworm True Person inquired.

"Not at all, to be honest, I would like to request Taoist Friend Shen’s help in crafting a batch of elixir; let’s forget about the compensation," Wei Liang stated his intention.

Shen Long suddenly understood and asked with a smile, "May I know what elixir Taoist Friend Wei wishes to have crafted?"

"Golden Soul Pill, but I only have one set of materials," Wei Liang replied, taking out a yellow storage bag and passing it to Shen Long.

"Not a problem at all, leave it to me. By the way, Taoist Friend Wei, I hear that your Mysterious Spirit Sect has cultivated quite a few spiritual medicines. Our Spirit Control Sect is interested in purchasing some from you. How do you feel about that?" Shen Long asked.

The Spirit Control Sect had acquired over twenty thousand new disciples, increasing their strength but also their burden. Shen Long planned to take advantage of the upcoming Wanjian Conference to open up trade routes for the sect, conducting business with other powers, exchanging what they had for what they lacked. This would not only increase the sect’s income but also make new allies and expand their influence.

"Not a problem at all. I’ve heard that your sect’s spirit insects and beasts are quite famous. I would like to purchase some from you," Wei Liang said enthusiastically.

He wasn’t particularly interested in the Spirit Control Sect’s spirit insects and beasts; his eagerness stemmed from wanting to use this opportunity to build a closer relationship with Shen Long. If Mysterious Spirit Sect had business dealings with the Spirit Control Sect, Wei Liang could look to Shen Long in the future when he needed a fourth-grade Alchemist.

"Excellent, then it’s settled," Shen Long said, raising his teacup and clinking it with Wei Liang’s.